Plead Your Case
In 'Plead Your Case', E.A. Adeboye emphasizes the power of prayer and intercession in confronting spiritual challenges and claiming God's promises.
E.A. Adeboye preaches on the power of prayer and presenting our cases before God in times of trouble. He emphasizes the importance of seeking God's intervention through prayer, citing examples of King Hezekiah and Jabez who experienced God's mercy and favor when they cried out to Him. Adeboye encourages believers to actively engage in spiritual warfare by praying against evil plans and declaring God's promises over their lives, trusting in the authority of God's Word to bring about change and protection from harm.
Text
MEMORISE: 'Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth Your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.' (Isa 41:21)
READ: 2 Kings 20:1-7
We serve a wonderful, prayer-answering God. Psalm 65:2 says: 'Oh thou that heareth prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.' We are so blessed that we serve the only true and living God. He hears us when we call upon him. And when he has revealed his intention to judge you, he will still listen to your plea. From our text, God sent the prophet Isaiah to tell King Hezekiah that he was about to die. Hezekiah cried out to God, who prolonged his life by 15 years. But Hezekiah is not the only one who has benefited from God's magnanimity.
Jabez was tired of a life of sorrow since birth. He had only the crumbs of God's blessing. Sorrow and failure followed him like flies around the tail of a cow. When he could no longer take it, he pleaded his case in Heaven's Court and ended up being more honourable than anyone around him. You can change your life too. When God shows you your enemy's intention to bring evil upon you, through dreams, visions and words of knowledge, do you expect things to change by themselves? If you do nothing about it, God may take it to mean that you are content. But if you rise up immediately, and begin to cry to God to cancel that negative dream and reverse it in the spiritual realm, where the plan was made, the evil plan will be reversed
Isaiah 41:21 says: 'Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.' In other words, argue your case, show why the evil plan of your enemies should not stand. For such reasons to be accepted in the Court of Heaven, they must be based on God's written Word, which is forever established in heaven. Having successfully presented your case, there will be a change. Are your enemies planning your death? Take it to Heaven's Court and say, 'I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord. I shall not die before my time. I shall not die until I have fulfilled my assignment on earth. All these are written in your Word. Because it is also written, only your counsel will stand, let death return to sender.' Through care and wisdom, prayerfully stand in the gap for others; speak words that edify and build up others and support the vision the Lord has given to your pastor, to make it a reality. This way, you will be a pillar in God's house and will be made to flourish in the courts of God.
ACTION POINT
According to Isaiah 41:21, spend one hour interceding for
two people in trouble or under satanic stronghold.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to God's nature as a prayer-answering God - Importance of presenting our cases to God - 'Examples from scripture: Hezekiah and Jabez'
- II points: - Understanding the significance of pleading your case - The role of God's Word in our petitions - Consequences of inaction in the face of spiritual attacks
- III points: - Practical steps to take when facing evil plans - The power of intercession for others - Building a supportive community in faith
- IV points: - The importance of faith in God's promises - Living out our declarations based on scripture - Becoming a pillar in God's house through service
Key Quotes
“Produce your cause, saith the Lord; bring forth your strong reasons, saith the King of Jacob.” — E.A. Adeboye
“I shall not die, but live and declare the works of the Lord.” — E.A. Adeboye
“Only your counsel will stand, let death return to sender.” — E.A. Adeboye
Application Points
- Dedicate time to pray for others facing difficulties, invoking God's promises on their behalf.
- Actively present your concerns to God using scripture as the foundation for your requests.
- Engage in community support by uplifting others and contributing to the church's vision.